An electrical induction motor includes a plurality of windings, and a plurality of contactors. Each of the plurality of contactors is configured to be selectively opened or closed in a circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a star configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of 2N magnetic poles, with N equal to the number of phases of the motor. Each of the plurality of contactors is also configured to be selectively opened or closed in the circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a mesh configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of two magnetic poles.

Switch system for a motor vehicle electrical system comprising a first switch element arranged between a generator-battery line and a starter-battery line of a vehicle electrical system, such that the generator-battery line and the starter-batter line can be short circuited spatially in the region of the starter.